Nuggets coach: LeBron James does not have Michael Jordan’s ‘killer mentality’

The Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James debate is one that has fueled millions of discussions. Both are great players, but who is the best? Everyone has an opinion, and Michael Malone recently shared his.

In a conference call with reporters, the Denver Nuggets coach said MJ was the greatest of all time. He acknowledged that James is in the conversation, but he feels the current Los Angeles Laker does not have the “killer mentality” that MJ had.

“It’s always an ongoing argument about who is the GOAT. Michael obviously is up there and is the greatest of all time,” Malone said Tuesday in a Zoom call with reporters, via USA Today’s Mark Medina. “There are not many Michael Jordans out there. I coached LeBron James for five years and have a great relationship with him. LeBron did not have the same mindset or killer mentality that Michael Jordan is supposed to have had. But LeBron James is arguably the greatest of all time as well.”

I agree completely with Malone’s analysis.

James is a great player and arguably the greatest all-around player of all time. But MJ was more of a killer, win-at-all-costs guy, and that’s a big reason why he went 6-0 in the NBA Finals. I just don’t think Jordan would have stood around and taken a backseat the way James did in the 2011 NBA Finals against the Mavericks. Regardless, James is still a great player, and his greatness could be part of the reason why Jordan authorized “The Last Dance“.